Manure-spreader.



W. J. COOK.`

NIANURE SPREADER.

APPLICATION FILED III/III. 29. 1910.

PaitentedSept. 2l, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

W. J. COOK.

IVIANURE SPREADER. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 29, 1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2. m P0 F5 F CO m f l A my r;

Pmentedsept. 21, 1915.5

tomaran sirname ramena @union WILLARD J'. COOK, OF DES MOINES, IOWA.

MANURE-SPREADEB.

Specificatonvof Letters Patent. )Pgtptritd Sept. 21,1915.

Application filed March 29, 1910.- Serial No. 552,264.

.To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, IVILLARD J. Coon, a citizen of theUnited States, residing at Des Moines, in the countyof Polk and State of' designed to Contact with the load of manure upon the movable apron and to tear it apart and to discharge it to the rapidly rotating spreading cylinder at the rear is so arranged that it. may have a limited yielding upward movement so that in the event that a hard and unyielding object or a tightly compressed quantity of material is delivered by the movable apron to said device, it may move upwardly against yielding pressure to thereby prevent said device from becoming broken or subjected to undue strains, and further, in this connection, to provide means for adjusting said device so that it may apply greater or less pressure upon the material vbeing delivered fromfthe apron. My invention consists, in certain details, in the construction, arrangement vand combination of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims and illustratedl in the accompanying drawings, in which:

-Figure 1 shows a side elevation of a manure spreader having my improvements applied thereto. Fig. 2 shows a detail view of the rear of the spreader taken from the side opposite that shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 shows a longitudinal, sectional view of the rear of a manure spreader embodying my invention and illustrating a modified form. Fig. 4 shows a detail, sectional view of the rear of the manure spreader embodying the .preferred form of my invention. Fig. 5 shows a rear end elevation of a manure spreader embodying my invention. Fig; 6 Ishows an "551/ enlarged, detail view, partly in section, illus- Atrating a speed increasing gearing device appliedto the lower, or .spreading cylinder,- and Fig. 7 shows a sectional view of same.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, I have used the reference numeral l() to indicate the wagon body and 11 the rear or traction wheels thereof. On one of the traction wheels a sprocket wheel l2 is provided to impart power for operating the spreading mechanism hereinafter described.

Mounted in the bottom of the Wagon bed 10 is an endless apron 13 of ordinary construction designed to be driven by the spur Wheel 14 on the shaftl. This apron and its driving means may be of any of the ordinary constructions now in common use and of itself forms no part of my presentl invention. Mounted on top of the rear end of the Wagon are the bearing blocks 16 provided with horizontally arranged slots 17 in which a shaft 18 is rotatably mounted. This shaft may be adjusted longitudinally ofthe wagon ybed by means of the set screws 19 and 20. I

provide for rotating said shaft by means of a sprocket wheel 21 fixed to one end of it and connected by a sprocket chain 22 with the sprocket wheel 12. A chain tightene-r 23' of ordinary construction is applied to said chain t'o take up any slack therein that may be caused by adjusting the shaft 18 in its supporting bearings. Rotatably mounted upon the shaft 18 between the sides of the Y wagon bed are the supporting arms 24 which extend downwardly and rearwardly. Mounted in the lower ends of the arms 24 is a rotatable shaft 25. The said shafts 18 and 25 are provided with sprocket wheels 26 and 27 over which are passedfthe sprocket chains 2S, which chains are provided with cross slats 29 having teeth 30. By this arrangement it is obvious that when the shaft 18 is rotated the endless conveyer consisting of the chains and cross slats will be operated. The forward portion thereof will move downwardly and rearwardly. In order to provide an adjustable yieldingpressure for the lower rear end of said endless conveyer, y

I have provided at each end thereof a rod 31 pivoted to the side of the wagon bed and extended rearwardly and upwardly and past an extension 32 on the adjacent arm 24. An extensible coil spring 33 is placed on the rear end portion of this rod to engage the eXtension 32 and an adjusting nut 34 is placed on the rear. end of the rod. In order to limit the forward end of the rear end of the endless conveyer, I provide a nut 35 on thevrod' y vthe shaft 18 will be rotated-and when said shaft is'rotated the forward portion of the endless conveyer will move downwardly and rearwardly and will engage the material on the apron 13 and tear it apar't and discharge it' at the rear of the wagon bed. In theevent thatany. hard object lof a tightly compressed quantity of material should be engaged by said endless conveyer the spring 33 will yield and the rear lower end of the conveyer will swing'upwardly against the spring pressure and against theaction of gravity upon the rear endof the conveyer to thereby permit. said object or mass of material to pass out' without subjecting the teeth of the endless conveyer to unduel strains. VThis lendless conveyer is so connected by gearing devices with the traction wheels that it will move at a comparatively slow rate of speed as its only object is to tearapart the material on the apron 13 and to deliver it at the rear end of the wagonbed and it is not intended to perform .any function of throwing the material outwardly and rearwardly'as required for sprpading it over a comparatively largel area. l f For the purpose of spreading the material thus delivered' over .a large area and for' tearing it apart, I provide a spreading cylinder of the kind illustrated and described in my patent before referred to. vThis spreading device comprises a shaft 36 mounted at the rear of the wagon bed. Fixed to this shaft is the spreader cylinder 37, of ordinary construction and provided with, teeth 38. The posi-tion of the spreadingcylinder 37 withrelation tov the rear lower 'end of the endless conveyer is such thatwhen the said endless conveyer is in the position'shown in Fig. that is to say, its normal position whenlin use; the teeth 38 will overlap the teeth. 30 in such a'manner that the rapidly moving teeth of the cylinder 38 will coact teeth. However when the lower end of the endless conveyer is moved. upwardly and rearwardly the'teeth temporarily 'will move out of'vcoacting positions but willimmediately assumesaid positions when the object raisedhas passed through. I have provided i for operating the-cylinder 37 in'a direction" v` gear wheel 39 having a sprocket wheel 40 Y connected with it. -The internal gear wheel 39 islin mesh with two pinions 41 which are mountedl on a stationary part ofthe machine frame, as shown in Fig. and fixed to the.

, shaft 36 is a pinion 42 in mesh with both of the pinions 41. The said sprocketwheelf4lf) `is rotated during the advance of the machine vbymeans of asprocket chain 43 which chain passes around a sprocket wheel 44 'on'- the shaft 18. Obviously by means of this"gear.'

ing device, movements applied to the inter-- nal gear wheel39 of the sprocket wheel 40 will be greatly increased as appliedto the pinion 42 and-its movement will be reversed so that the top of the cylinder 37 will move l rearwardly.

I-n the modified form, illustrated in Fig. 3, I have mounted upon the shaft 18 a supporting arm '45 having at its rear end a shaft 46'upon which a cylinder 47 is fixed.

This shaft is driven by means of'a sprocket gearing 48 connected with thehshaft 1 8-and the said cylinder 47'is provided' with teeth 49 to coact with the teeth of the spreading cylinder 37. The same means are employed l end ofthe endless conveyer illustratedjin my preferred form of the invention.- In' practical use, it is obvious that .the unloading' device consisting either .of the-endless conveyer or the toothed cylinder may be' startedevenfthough the load of. material on" the apron is' resting. close against it and that. Athis maybe done readily and easily with aA comparatively slightamount of power for the reason that'the material on the endless apron is'engaged bythe'teeth and moved downwardly and rearwardly,- and for `the further-.reason that theteeth `of the' unloadingl device move at comparatively slow speed,` vThis will have the effect of partially f l tearing'apart the material on the apron and dehvermgit in auniform manner at thev discharge end of the spreader. In the 'event that any hard .or unyielding object or a tightly. fcompressed mass of materlal is engaged the said teeth, the rear end of vthe 1 endless conveyerwill swing upwardly andv rearwardly against the action of gravity and the 'pressure -of the springs so that it may ment of the unloading device. 'By having the unloading device adjustableit may be 1 arranged atdifferent angles to meet the requirements of the material being distributed and byhaving 'an adjustable .yielding pressure applied-to the unloading device, it may be held more or. less firmly against the loaded i material t have a greater or less tearing f apart effect onsame. All'of the material thus delivered to the spreading cylinder. will be further torn apart and thrown rearwardly and upwardly to a considerable distance on account of the high speed of the spreading cylinder. Furthermore, comparatively little power is required for operating` the cylinder for the reason that it does not directly engage a solid" portion of the material but only receives the material in small quantities from the unloading device s'o that it may be kept rotating at high speed with comparatively little iiiore'power than would be required to operate a balance wheel of equal weight.

l claim as-my` invention:

1. In a manure spreader, the combination `of a vagon body, an apron on the bottom of the wagon body, an unloading device ovei` the apron, comprising a toothed rake device above the discharge end of the apron` extended downwardly and rearwardly and designed to engage the body of material on the apron,v and also designed when operated to have said rake device tear tliematerial apart and deliver said portions of it vthat have been torn apart from the bodyof the imiterial in a downward and rearward direction, and a spreading cylinder so arranged with relation to the apron andthe delivering device that it will be protected by the said delivering device from direct contact with any of the material on the apron, and said spreading cylinder being so arranged that the material delivered to it by the delivering device will strike upon its upper portion and be thrown upwardly and rearwardly when the si)readingcylinder is being rotated.

2. In a manure spreader, the combination ot a wagon body to supportthe material, a spreading cylinder arranged at the discharge end of said body and in position to be out of engagement with the material resting upon y'the body, means for rotating it in a direction with its top moving rearwardly away from the body, and an unloading device in position above the discharge end of the body and in position to engage material on the body. means for moving the forward portion of said unloading device'downwardlyto deliver material fi'oin the body on the spreadingl cylinder, means for yieldingly support-l ing the unloading device so tliatthe part thereof adjacent to the spreading cylinder may move upwardly in a direction away fromthe discharge endv of the body, and adjustable mains for limiting the movement of the unloading device toward the discharge end of the body. I I

:"i. In a niainire spreader. the combination of a wagon body, a spreading cylinder ar-l sure device for yieldingly holding the unloading device in a` `direction toward the spreading cylinder.

4e. ln a manure spreader, the combination of a wagon body to support the material, a spreading cylinder arranged at the discharge end of vsaid body and in position to be out of engagement with the material resting upon the body, means for rotating it in a direction with its top moving rearwardly away from the body, and an unloading device in-position above the discharge end of the body and in. position to engage material onthe body, means for moving the forward portion of said unloadingdevice downwardly` to deliver material from the body on the spreading cylinder, means for yieldingly supporting the unloading device so that the part thereof adjacent to the spreading cylinder may move upwardly in a direction away from the discharge end of the body, a spring pressure device for yieldiiigly holding the unloading device Iin a direction toward the discharge -end of the body. and means for adjusting the tension of said spring pressure device.

In a manure spreader, the combination of a wagon body to support the material, a spraiding' cylinder arranged at the discharge end of said body and in position to be out of engagement with the material resting upon the body, means for rotating it in a direction with its top moving rearwardly away from the body, and an unloading device,in position above the discharge end of the body and in position to engage material on the body, in xans for moving the forward portion of said unloading device downward/ly to deliver materialfroin the body on the spreading cylinder. means for yieldingly supporting the unloading device so that the part thereof adjacent to the spreading cylinder may move upwardly in a direction away from the discharge end of the body. and means for adjusting the unloading device forwardly and rearwardly relative to the discharge end of the body.A

6. ln a device of the class described, the combination of a wagon body, a spreading device arranged at, the discharge end of said wagon body and in position to receive material lfrom the body, means for moving said spreading device in a direction for throwing 4material rearwardly, and an unloading device yin position' above the material at the discharge end of the body, means for moving the forward portion of said unloading dewardly to deliver'material from the bodyy to the spreading device, and means for yield` ingly supporting the unloading device". so that the par/t thereof adjacent to the spread. ing device may move upwardly in' a dire`etion away ifrom the discharge end of the body to permit the passage of large obstructions between it an'd the discharge end vof their I ''toward the dlscharge end-` of the wagon body. 7 In a device of the class described, the

combination of a wagon body toreceive na.

terial to be distributed, a spreading device in position to receive material from the discharge end of the wagon body, means for operating ittin a direction to throw material rearwardly; andan unloading device, com

- risino an endless conve 7er )ivoted at its upper end and extended downwardly and toward the discharge end of the'wagon body,

its lower portion being capable of swinging rearwardly and upwardly away from the spreading'device, and means for operating said conveyer. y j

S. In a manure spreader, the combination of a wagon body, an unloading device comprising a toothed'endless conveyer' extended transversely across the-body above its discharge end and inclined downwardly and rearwardly,.means for operating said'conveyer vwith its forwardpportion moving downwardly and rearwardly,A adjustable means for limiting ytheforwa'rd movement of the lowerportion of said conveyer de-'j vice, an adjustable yielding pressure device tending to` hold the lower end of the conveyerdevice toward the discharge-end of the body, a spreading cylinder arranged in the rear -of the body in position out of con-- tact with material carried by the body and designed'to receive the discharge from said' conveyer, and means yfor rotating the spreading cylinder at comparatively high speed.

' 9. In a manure spreader, the combination of l azwagon body, an unloading device comprising a vtoothed endless conveyer extended transversely across the body, above its dis charge end andinclined downwardly and rearwardly, means for operating said conveyer with its forward -portion moving downwardly and rearwardly, adjustable means for limiting the forward movement of the lower portion ofsaid conveyer device, an adjustable yielding pressure device tend` ing4 to holdl the lower endpof theconveyerdevice toward the discharge end of the body,

means for adjusting .thenipper lend of said conveyer device in afdirection longitudinal of the body, a spreading cylinder arranged in the'rear of the body j in position out of contact with material carried by the bodyand designed to receivethedischarge from said conveyer, and meansfor rotatingv the spreading cylinder at comparatively high speed'.

l0. In a device of the class described, the combination of a wagon body to receive materialjtoy be distributed, a spreading device in position to receive material from the disbody, its lower portion being'capable of swinging rearwardly andupwardly away from the spreading device, means for operating said conveyer, and aspring applied to the unloading device for yieldingly hold-ing its lower portion in a directiontoward the spreading device.

. 11. In a 'manure spreader, combinua-` tion of a body and an' apron cari'xied by -ithe body, a shaft extended acrossthe its discharge end, means for rotating. said shaft, means for adjusting said shaft longi'- tudinally of the body,"ausupporting device pivoted concentric o f said shaft and extended downwardly and "rearwardly, -ashaft rotatably mounted-at the lower ends'of said supporting device, an endless toothed conveyer passed around said shafts, adjustable means;

for limiting1 the movement of thelower end of the conveyer device toward the discharge end 'of the body, an adjustable spring device for.y yieldingly holdingv the lower end ofthe conveyerdevice toward the discharge end of the body, a spreading cylinder arranged in position to receive the discharge from the unloading device and in' position wholly out of Contact with material on the body, and 'means for rotating the spreading cylinder at a comparatively high speed in a direction with its top portion moving rearwardly, for the purposes stated.-

12. In a manure spreader, the combination of arbody and an apron carried by the body, a shaft extended across the body above its discharge end, means for rotating said shaft, means for adjusting said shaft longitudinally of thebody, a -supporting Vdevice pivoted concentric of said shaft, and extended downwardlyy and rearwardly, a shaft roody above tatably mounted at the lower .ends of saidv supporting device,an endless toothed conveyer passedn around said shafts, adjustable means for limiting the movementI of the lower end of the conveyer device toward the 'dischargeend of the body, an adjustable spring device for yieldingly holding the llower end of the conveyer device toward the Adischarge end of the body, a spreading cylinder arranged in position to receive the discharge from the unloading device and in position wholly out of contact with material -on'the body,- and-means for rotating the spreading cylinder by power from the driving shaft o f'the unloading device in a direction with its top portion moving rearwardly, said means including a speed increasing gearing device. y v

13. ln adevice of the'elassdescribed, the combination of a wagon body, an unloading device comprising a frame pivotally supported at its upper end and extended downwardly and toward the discharge end of the wagon body, a conveyer thereon, means for operating the conveyer in such a manner that its forward portion moves downwardly and rearwardly in a pathabove the Vbottom of the wagon body, and said parts being 'so arranged that a large obstruct-ion in the material on the body will cause the lower end of the frame onl which the conveyer is mounted to move upwardly and rearwardly away from the body.

ln a device of the 'class described, the combination of a wagon body, an unloading device comprising a frame pivotally supported at its upper end, and extended downwardly and toward the discharge end of the wagon body, a toothed conveyer thereon, means for operating the conveyer so that its forward portion moves downwardly and rearwardly, said frame being so arranged that a large obstruction in the material on the wagon body will cause the lower end of the frame to move upwardly and rearwardly away from the body, a yielding pressure device applied to the frame for yieldingly holding its lower end toward the discharge end of the wagon body, and a spreading device arranged to receive the discharge from said unloading device.

15. In a device of the` class described, thel combination of a wagon body, an apronvon the bottom of the wagon body designed to move material rearwardly toward the disthat a large obstruction in the ymaterial onthe wagon body will cause the lower end of the frame to move upwardly and rearwardly away from the body, a yielding pressure device applied to the frame for yieldingly holding its lower end toward the discharge end of the wagon body, and a spreading device arranged to receive the discharge from said unloading device. l

16. In a deviceof the class described, the

combination-of a wagon body, an apron on the bottom of the wagon body designed to move materialrearwardly toward the discharge end ofthe wagon body, and anunloading device, comprising a frame pivoted to the body at its upper" end and extended downwardly and rearwardly, an endless con veyer on said frame, means for moving the endless conveyer so that its forwardportion moves downwardly and rearwardly toene gage material on the apron,'the said frame being so arranged that a large obstruction on the apron willcause'said frame to be elevated so that the obstruction may pass be-y yond it without ,injury to the device, a 'yield-A I ing pressure device applied to Vthev said frame for normallyA holding its rear lower end portion toward the discharge point of the apron, and a spreading device, comprising a Acylinder arranged in positionto receive material from the unloading device, means' for `moving it so that its upper -portionmoves rearwardly to discharge material delivered to it from the unload-ing device.

17. In a device of the class. described, the

combination of a wagon body, an apron on the bottom of the wagon'body, designed to move material rearwardly toward the discharge end of the wagon body, and an unloading device, comprising a frame pivoted to the body at its upper end and extended downwardly and rearwardly, an endless conveyer on said frame, means for moving the endless conveyer so that its forward portion moves downwardly and rearwardly to en. 'gage material on the apron, the said frame beit .so arranged that a large obstruction on iitlfe apron will cause said frame to be ele-i.

vated so thatl the obstruction may-pass beyond it without injuryto the device, a yielding pressure device applied to the said .frame for normally holding its rear lower end portion. toward the discharge point of the apron,

. a spreading device, comprising a cylinder arranged in position to receive material from the unloading device, means for moving it so that its upper portion moves rearwardly to discharge material deliveredV to it from the unloading device, and means for operating said spreading cylinder ata relatively high speed. as .compared with the movement of'theendless conveyer of the unloading device. 4

Des Moines,lowa, March 19, 1910.

, WILLARD J. COOK. WVitnesses:

WM. E. WHITESIDE, .l FRANK YOUNG. 

